Just bought a Protege5 (Questions)

[paranoidxe]

I was recently (well not really recently) involved in a car accident in a 88 corolla, tow truck t-boned my car running a red light..we'll just say about 5 weeks in the hospital and about 4 months of rehibiliation I'm back and ready to find a car.

My first choice was a 2000-2005 Eclipse GT, however this was unsuccessful, either there was something wrong with the vehicle or the colors weren't my style, or the vehicle was a automatic.

I then started looking at cars period, then I found this sexy car called a protege5..took it for a test drive and fell in love with it. Purchased it on the spot, though a little high on the mileage (77K) I decided this really is the only oppurtunity to get one.

So I bought it today, took it home with me. Since I'm still on disability until January the beast will be teasing me in my driveway for the next month until I'm ready to drive to work again. I can't wait.

I love the fact that these cars are VERY UNCOMMON (in my area) the fact you can't classify the vehicle (is it a wagon? sedan? hatchback?) and the fact that these vehicles are friggin sexy!

My only possible complaint about the vehicle is that it is a little slow than what I'm USED to driving (95 Talon TSi AWD). I'll get used to it though.

I have a few questions, how reliable are these vehicles? Is there any common problems I should look out for?

Thanks for reading my post.

 

[xvdarkyvx]

didn't have any major problems with it yet. congrats on the car, you're going to love it. yeah. the mileage is a bit high. i'm at 21000 and this car is 2 and a half years old. heh. well see you around.

 

[verseoneMP5]

welcome! i know what u mean about it feeling slow..i had a boosted civic eg hatch and the p5 seems a bit sluggish compared to that...but it is very torquey and handles like a BEAST....

 

[rednecks_r_us]

Welcome to the forum

Hell Welcome to your new addiction.

As for the car classification its a hatchback according to Mazda.

 

[Kansei]

Welcome. Glad you love your car, I've had mine for more than a year and a half now and I can't see myself driving anything else that is out now.

 

[cboe's_mp5]

sorry to hear about your accident but wellcome to the mazda community. i have had my MP5 for a year and a haulf an i have 58k on it it handles well and i cant see myself driving anything else than mazda. i have had no problems with my car. just keep up on the oil and all the check ups and it should be fine.

 

[redwagon02]

Welcome!

 

[stdntDrvr]

where are you located?

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

Depending on how much power you are looking to add, You can bump it up a few horse by adding a header, intake and exhaust. All should be relatively easy to install with no permadent mods to the car....

Then if you are looking for a large bump in power there are a few turbo kits out there, but after looking at them, too much money involved for me.

 

[paranoidxe]

where are you located?

Utah

I might do some minor mods such as intake and exhaust, but turbo is out of the question I already have my turbo car (95 Eagle Talon TSi AWD).

And from what I've read it looks like intake modification doesn't do much if anything at all to boost power, does exhaust?

 

[Protege52003]

welcome......love my P5. had it for almost 3 years and just turned 52K yesterday......

 

[stdntDrvr]

intake header exhaust cams...that's what i'd do...that's what i had...i sold the cams last year and i miss the hell out of them.

just get more air in and out and you'll be fine.

i was also getting 32mpg running the a/c with this set-up

 

[Chiguy_2002]

Former P5 owner here, there has been a few times I wish I still had mine. I have an MSP now, I really like it, but if I were to get a second car for a daily driver, and put the MSP in the garage (which I don't have yet), I would get another P5. They are quick enough and handle really well. Maybe in a few years I will get another...congrats and welcome!

 

[paranoidxe]

Thanks all for the warm welcome

 

[Nomad]

These are not sports cars, just sporty cars.
Enjoy it for what it is and you'll be happy. If you want to make a fast racer out of it you'll spend lots of money and be dissapointed.

 

[paranoidxe]

Do you guys run full synthetic in these motors or not?

 

[Nomad]

Yes, everythng I put in my car is synth if/when I change it.

No, you don't have to do a full system flush before using synth, Just put it in.

 

[Lord_Zath]

Another bolt-on mod to consider doing is an underdrive pulley. They add across the band, but most noticeably in the low rpm range. I've got one on my car and love it.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

welcome to the forums

 

[Enderwiggin9969]

hmm

the undersrive pulley would be used on manual yes?